K-12 Interventions

Frank Fani and Ellen Harju
February 7, 2006

ABSTRACT

Most K-12 intervention programs focus on increasing participation of women and ethnic minorities in college science and engineering programs.  They work with students to facilitate their transition from high school to college with an emphasis on studying science or engineering. This is often achieved by providing scholarships, mentorship, tutoring, research experience, and general strategies for college application, and financial aid processes. Some of these steps might stem from such simple tasks as having students visit a college campus, or exposing them to cutting-edge research in a actual science labs.  These programs are by and large successful with proven track records and gather much support from community leaders. However as with any intervention, social or not, there are unintended consequences. Since these programs look at the average students progress they are often oblivious to their consequences to individual students which at times are negative.

For the class discussion, read the article Campbell, P. & Hoey L.  Equity Means All: Rethinking the Role of Special Programs in Science and Math Education.  Retrieved January 31, 2006, from http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/nise/News_Activities/Forums/Campbellpaper.htm.

Also, browse at least one of the following web sites on various intervention programs that will be discussed in the presentation.

AISES K-12
http://www.aises.org/k-12/

MESA
http://www.washingtonmesa.org/

NASA Sharp
http://minorityeducation.jpl.nasa.gov/opportunities/index.cfm

ALVA (UW)
http://www.engr.washington.edu/msep/ALVA.html

Genom
http://depts.washington.edu/genomics/

NSBE K-12
http://www.nsbe.org/precollege/index.html

Expanding Your Horizons
http://www.expandingyourhorizons.org/

References

Campbell, P. & Hoey L.  Equity Means All: Rethinking the Role of Special Programs in Science and Math Education.  Retrieved January 31, 2006, from http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/nise/News_Activities/Forums/Campbellpaper.htm.

Fenske R. et al (1997).  Early Intervention Programs, Opening the Door to Higher Education.  ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report, 25, 1-34.